My cynical mind has to wonder why it took so long for “safety” to be the deciding factor… or is it the influence of an industry that may need a boost due to world events? Just a thought.
Oh a good question. I’m not sure tbh but Hong Kong does always feel like it’s building. Yet I read recently that housing prices have decreased - so I’m guessing that people are not buying (rents meanwhile, have increased). Using metal instead could be an attempt to boost more construction and improve safety across the city.
I'm having one of those "who knew?" moments. I've probably seen this bamboo scaffolding on my travels and didn't register. Safety first, of course, but it seems like something more is being lost, as if the curtains are being drawn on the last window to a bygone era.
That’s a good way of putting it with the curtains being drawn. To be fair, I don’t know the timescale of the material being phased out. It could be some time before it happens, but I know anything about Hong Kong - things change fast.
I wonder if much research has been done on bamboo versus metal! Bamboo is a renewable resource (fast growing) and maybe lighter than metal for transporting. I’d be interested to see a comparison of safety stats - has anyone actually analysed them or are we just assuming that “modern”/standardised = safety?
Some of that does look a bit risky.... I wonder what the statistics on safety are, and what the real cost-benefit analysis is with metal tubing. Bamboo has to be replaced... imported(?).... stored under certain conditions.... metal is probably more adaptable outside of the use of we can see of the construction process.
I agree, metals like steel may be more adaptable and certainly help with safety, but from an aesthetic perspective, the phasing out of bamboo scaffolding will be a loss to the city.
My cynical mind has to wonder why it took so long for “safety” to be the deciding factor… or is it the influence of an industry that may need a boost due to world events? Just a thought.
Oh a good question. I’m not sure tbh but Hong Kong does always feel like it’s building. Yet I read recently that housing prices have decreased - so I’m guessing that people are not buying (rents meanwhile, have increased). Using metal instead could be an attempt to boost more construction and improve safety across the city.
I'm having one of those "who knew?" moments. I've probably seen this bamboo scaffolding on my travels and didn't register. Safety first, of course, but it seems like something more is being lost, as if the curtains are being drawn on the last window to a bygone era.
That’s a good way of putting it with the curtains being drawn. To be fair, I don’t know the timescale of the material being phased out. It could be some time before it happens, but I know anything about Hong Kong - things change fast.
I wonder if much research has been done on bamboo versus metal! Bamboo is a renewable resource (fast growing) and maybe lighter than metal for transporting. I’d be interested to see a comparison of safety stats - has anyone actually analysed them or are we just assuming that “modern”/standardised = safety?
Yeah, I think that's the governments idea to prioritise safety - which is definitely a good thing. This article says that there have been 23 deaths from falling, a fire or a collapse since 2018, but no immediate data for metal: https://hongkongfp.com/2025/03/22/hkfp-lens-hong-kongs-bamboo-scaffolding-through-the-years-as-centuries-old-technique-set-to-be-phased-out/
(The photos are incredible too).
Some of that does look a bit risky.... I wonder what the statistics on safety are, and what the real cost-benefit analysis is with metal tubing. Bamboo has to be replaced... imported(?).... stored under certain conditions.... metal is probably more adaptable outside of the use of we can see of the construction process.
I agree, metals like steel may be more adaptable and certainly help with safety, but from an aesthetic perspective, the phasing out of bamboo scaffolding will be a loss to the city.
I couldn’t agree more, Sarah.
Wow, that’s so iconic of Hong Kong! What a change.
I know! Sad news ☹️